Method and apparatus for extracting precious metals from their o

Details Method and apparatus for extracting precious metals from their o Method and apparatus for extracting precious metals from their o

1995-05-08

1997-09-30

Andrews, Melvyn

Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei

Processes

Free metal or alloy reductant contains magnesium

75744, 266101, 423DIG17, C22B 302, C22B 318

Patent

active

056721943

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for extraction of precious metals from their ores and the product thereof. Oxidized ore comprising a precious metal is exposed to a leaching solution (lixiviant) comprising a relatively high concentration (fugacity) of dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas, a relatively high concentration (activity) of bisulfide ions, and a relatively low concentration (fugacity) of dissolved hydrogen gas. The hydrogen sulfide gas and bisulfide ions are preferably added to the solution by sulfate-reducing bacteria growing in a medium comprising dissolved sulfate ions and dissolved nitrate ions, but abiotic sources may also be used. Examples of such bacteria include mesophilic, fresh-water species such as Desulfobacterium catecholicum DSM 3882 and Desulfovibrio simplex DSM 4141; mesophilic, salt-water species such as Desulfovibrio salexigens DSM 2638; and thermophilic, fresh-water species such as Desulfomaculum kuznetsovii VKM B-1805. The complexed precious metal is recovered from the lixiviant.

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